Why did you lean one way or the other


Without judgement towards me, or from me, what did you find more enjoyable, going from tubes to solid state, and/or from solid state to tubes? My posts here have stated my reasons for going in a particular direction. What say you? Please, if you want to participate in this discussion, let's all be civil, mature, and realize, we all have a musical "taste" we are after, and because of this, there is no right or wrong, except for yourself. 

mrdecibel

Showing 1 response by fire_water

As one member nicely summed-up "For me, the tube preamp defines the emotional color of the sound and a great SS amp delivers that uncolored to my speakers".

I went from a Cambridge SS to a McIntosh MA12000 integrated amplifier and the tubes up front really took music to another level.  It was more emotionally engaging. That almost changed when I sold the McIntosh and bought Accuphase separates. At first I was disappointed and lost the "magic" of the tubes. I hated myself for what I did.  But then as my system broke-in the music came to life and I find that emotional connection I had with my McIntosh.  Things improved even more when I added an Accuphase standalone DAC replacing the DAC card that slides into the preamplifier.  Yes there are times I miss the tubes but my Accuphase class A amplifier with Accuphase's preamplifier and DAC deliver a richer and smoother presentation which I'm really enjoying. So matching components is fundamental to SQ.

I see you have LaScala speakers.  I love my LaScala AL5. The tubes on the McIntosh helped tame the LaScala's exuberance. Likewise, my Accuphase A-48S Class-A amplifier smoothes this out and I'm getting a more refined sound.